Chicago Shakespeare to stage 'Dickens' Women'

Chicago Shakespeare Theater said Thursday that it has added a production to its World's Stage series of international touring productions.

The British stage-and-screen actress Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout in the "Harry Potter" films) will come to Chicago next month and perform her solo show, "Dickens' Women," a hit at various festivals and conceived as part of the bicentennial celebration of the famed author's birth. Margoyles plays 23 different Dickensian women and strives to discover the essence of this most prolific of authors, especially popular at Christmas.

"Dickens' Women" will play Dec. 18-22 at the Upstairs Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare. Tickets, $50-$60, are now on sale at 312-595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.